On Saturday i had my first event of the season. Gatcombe Novice with Bourne Belvedere. It did not quite go as i had hoped, but plenty to learn from the day, and it was only the first event of the season.

Belvedere warmed up very well for the dressage, however in the test he got quite tense and took the mickey at a few movements that he can do very well thank you very much. So we must have got three 4's and a 2. However, the movements in between were fairly good. So overall we got 41. Disappointing, but fair considering his antics!!!

The showjumping (OUR NEMESIS!!!). Although it wasn't a very tidy round, we managed to go clear. This was fantastic news, because it was out first clear SJ at novice height! It wasn't very tidy because I made him get deep to the fences, this meant that he had to make and effort and pick up, hence the clear round! At BE if you have a double clear (clear SJ and XC at novice level and above) you get a point. XC is our strongest phase, having never faulted there, so I was rather confident we would get out first point.

However, XC, disaster struck, I shouldn't have been so confident! There was a rail, 90 degree left turn to hedge, then 90 degree right turn to a fence. He jumped off a long stride very large over the hedge, and I lost my reins. The next fence was numbered separately, so what I should of done, was to go straight on, sort my reins out, circle and then jump the next fence. However, I panicked, and simply hauled on my right rein, Belvedere didn't understand as he thought we were going straight on, consequently we sailed straight past it, and picked up 20pens. We stormed around the rest of the course, for only 5.2 time pens (even with the run out). This was devastating for two reasons. 1) My first ever BE XC penalty with him, so it has ruined our record. 2) I finally got a clear SJ and sods law I then have my first 20 pens and so don't get a point! INFURIATING! It was totally my fault, and I am kicking myself, but I have learnt that in future I must not panic and must think faster on the spot. Also that Belvedere CAN go clear SJ!!!

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed the photos and videos, and wish me luck for next week at Weston Novice. Lets hope I don't screw up there as well!!!!